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By SUE SUCHYTA Sunday Times Newspapers Homeschooling, once the realm of a select few families, is now the new norm, as families in Michigan stay home to avoid coronavirus contagion, while using online learning and other options. Sheri Alley, of Lincoln Park, said her son, Dillon, a senior at Lincoln Park High School, who is autistic, faces additional challenges. “This is a difficult time for all children, but for a child with autism or any disability, it’s harder,” Alley said. Mellissa L’Heureux, of Lincoln Park, whose … [Read more...] about Homeschooling out of necessity, not choice: Parents and students share their stories

Coronavirus crisis has increased community need By SUE SUCHYTA Sunday Times Newspapers MELVINDALE – At least 300 households received 25 to 35 pounds of food March 31 at a Gleaners Community Food Bank drive-up distribution at St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church. Families hard hit by economic losses during the current coronavirus crisis are increasing the demand for food from local food banks and pantries, which have switched to outside parking lot distributions to limit person-to-person contact, to lessen the risk of … [Read more...] about Gleaners helps area groups distribute food at drive-through sites

By ZEINAB NAJM Times-Herald Newspapers Several local organizations, businesses and community members are donating their time and resources in the fight against COVID-19 in both Dearborn and Dearborn Heights. Dearborn-based Carhartt announced it is producing 50,000 medical gowns starting April 6, and on April 20 it will manufacture 2.5 million masks. The news release also said Carhatt will continue to assist in production as along as the items are in short supply. President and CEO Al Siblani, president and CEO of … [Read more...] about Organizations, community step up in local coronavirus fight

By ZEINAB NAJM Times-Herald Newspapers Several local organizations, businesses and community members are donating their time and resources in the fight against COVID-19 in Dearborn and Dearborn Heights. ACCESS is providing drive-through coronavirus testing for symptomatic first responders and health care workers with testing five days a week in partnership with Wayne State University Physician Group and WSU Health Sciences. Testing takes place locally from 1 to 6 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday through the end of March at the … [Read more...] about ACCESS, WSU provide coronavirus testing for health professionals, first responders

By SUE SUCHYTA Sunday Times Newspapers MELVINDALE – Grab-and-go took on a whole new meaning, as Melvindale-Northern Allen Park Schools employees worked together to assemble curbside pickup meal bags March 23 for district students. In a move similar to what many other school districts are implementing, food bags, which provide a week’s worth of USDA breakfast and lunch food, for which each child in the MEL-NAP school district is eligible, were distributed in a drive-through queue in front of Allendale Elementary School. … [Read more...] about MEL-NAP, other districts supply grab-and-go meals for low-income students

By SUE SUCHYTA Sunday Times Newspapers LINCOLN PARK – What once was considered a convenience has become a lifesaver for many people, as personal shopper and delivery services become a virtual lifeline for people trying to avoid coronavirus exposure. Locally, Shipt and Instacart are the predominant shopping and delivery services. Shipt partners with Meijer and Target, and recently started deliveries for CVS, Petco, OfficeMax and Office Depot. Instacart works with Meijer, Costco, Kroger, Plum Market and Whole Foods … [Read more...] about Personal shopper and delivery services become a lifeline amid COVID-19 concerns

Measures in place to protect first responder health By SUE SUCHYTA Sunday Times Newspapers If there is a positive side to the coronavirus isolation, it’s this: Occupied houses discourage burglaries, and lighter traffic on the roads results in fewer crashes. As people shelter-in-place, and worry about life-changing issues, what once seemed important now seems less urgent, and takes a back seat to more pressing concerns. Wyandotte police chief sees societal change impacting calls Wyandotte Deputy Police Chief Archie … [Read more...] about Police officials address coronavirus concerns

By SUE SUCHYTA Sunday Times Newspapers Firefighters and emergency medical technicians face unique challenges during the coronavirus pandemic, as they encounter contagious people while striving to keep themselves free of COVID-19 through screening and protective gear. Southgate Fire Chief Marc Hatfield said his department has sufficient protective equipment for its first responders, with more supplies on order. He urged people to call their primary care physician first to discuss any flu-like symptoms they experience, and to … [Read more...] about From protective equipment to screening procedures, fire chiefs prepare first responders

DPS adds 7th meals distribution site By ZEINAB NAJM Times-Herald Newspapers Students, teachers and staff at local school districts and colleges have had to adjust their teaching methods and continuation of providing resources or information while schools across the state remain on a government-ordered shutdown due to the coronavirus. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer closed schools effective March 16 until April 5, which will extend into April 13 when students from Dearborn Public Schools, Dearborn Heights School District 7 and … [Read more...] about School districts, colleges adjust operations due to the coronavirus

‘Pay As You Go’ designed to reduce residential tax foreclosures By SUE SUCHYTA Sunday Times Newspapers While Taylor City Treasurer Michelle Tocco recommended the city consider the “Pay As You Stay” tax foreclosure prevention program, Allen Park City Treasurer Maureen Armstrong recommended the city opt out. The Wayne County PAYS program is designed to prevent owner-occupied home foreclosures for Wayne County residents who owe back property taxes. Once a homeowner is enrolled, interest, penalties and fees are eliminated. … [Read more...] about Taylor considering, Allen Park opting out of PAYS